Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris waits to speak at a campaign rally on August 8, 2024 in Wayne, Michigan.
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Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris waits to speak at a campaign rally on August 8, 2024 in Wayne, Michigan. / Getty Images

This piece originally appeared as part of NPR's live coverage of the 2024 election. For more election coverage from the NPR Network head to our live updates page.

Vice President Harris called President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on winning the presidential election, a senior Harris aide told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

The aide said Harris talked about the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans.

The call came hours before Harris is scheduled to address the American people.

The White House says she will deliver remarks at 4 p.m. ET at Howard University in Washington, D.C. — her alma mater and the site of what supporters had hoped would be her victory party on Tuesday night.

Video of Harris' remarks will be available here later this afternoon.

The Associated Press called the race for Trump in the early morning hours, after he won the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. By midday Wednesday, he had earned 292 electoral votes — well over the 270 needed for the presidency — compared to Harris' 224.

Word of Harris' call to Trump came shortly after the AP called Michigan for Trump.

Trump will have a Republican-controlled Senate, and could also have control of the House, though it’s too close to call that chamber at this point, according to the AP.

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